Your questions answered have helped me tremendously
Question: I just wanted to drop you a line thanking you for your website. Your questions answered have helped me tremendously. I came looking for sermon material (and found it), but while there I was helped out of a particular sin in whose cords I was entangled. You helped me. May God bless you for…
Read MoreHow do you change when you made a mess of raising your children?
Question: How do you change things that have gotten worse? I am a single mother of four all by different fathers. I have always known the Word but refused to follow it, all along knowing I was making the wrong decisions. It’s no wonder why my 14-year-old is where she is at this point. I…
Read MoreApostolic Succession (Dockens)
by Bryan Matthew Dockens A number of religions practice so-called apostolic succession. Roman Catholics believe the man they call “Pope” is the successor of the apostle Peter. Mormons claim twelve to fifteen apostles at all times. Many Pentecostal congregations identify their preachers as apostles. Such claims are totally inconsistent with the scriptures. The Apostles of…
Read MoreThank you for the resources on Catholicism
Question: Greetings. I am writing to thank you for all the wonderful lessons on Catholicism that you have on your site. I have been dating someone who came from a Catholic background, and although he went through the Catholic school system, he is learning that he doesn’t know anything about the Bible or his parents’…
Read MoreWhich book can I commit to memory to overcome sexual lusts?
Question: My Christian life hasn’t been very fruitful, to say the least. I still engage in the same sexual lusts that I once did and I am searching for the right book in the New Testament to commit to memory so that I can combat these temptations. I can’t win unless I have the sword…
Read MoreI stopped many of my bad habits, but I’m still plagued by doubts. What do I do?
Question: I had a friend die recently last weekend, and this caused me to really think about what am I doing with my life. Out of curiosity and interest I researched near-death experiences, which I believed some of them to be true. I read about people seeing hell and realizing how horrible it is for…
Read MoreI’m teaching a group of 13-17 year girls and would like to address decision making, relationships, and sex. Do you have any suggestions?
Question: Hey! I’ve been put in charge of taking the girls’ night at a youth group and I am doing it on decision making, relationships, sex, etc. I would love it if you could give me some tips on what to say to them about it. Their ages are between 13 and 17. I was…
Read MoreWhat Saves Us from Sin?
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 28, July 11, 2008 We are not saved by one thing to the exclusion of all others, for there are many factors that work out our salvation. Rather than focus on just one passage that speaks of our being saved, we must learn the truth of…
Read MoreShould I let my children go over to my worldly family’s homes?
Question: Hi! I have a question about people that I and my children associate with. Most of my family are in second marriages, some don’t even believe in God. I have a (female) friend who is married to someone who is divorced. She said that his ex-wife cheated on him, I do not know what…
Read MoreWhat are the requirements for joining the church there and what are the requirements for getting married there?
Question: My fiance and I are looking for a Church of Christ to join in your area. We were wondering if you could give us some information about requirements for joining your congregation and also any rules, regulations, and information about getting married in your church as we’re looking to get married next year. Thank…
Read MoreIs there a passage that says to marry a partner of your youth?
Question: Is there a scripture in the Bible that says you should marry a partner of your youth? Answer: No, but there are passages which state acknowledge that most people marry when they are relatively young. “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth” (Proverbs 5:18). “Yet you say, “For…
Read MoreFrankness
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2004/09/Frankness.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 28:23 I. Most of us desire the esteem of those around us. We don’t want people to think bad of us; instead, we want the respect of people. A. It is that basic desire that Satan exploits – James 1:13-16 B. Behind “pride of life” is the simple desire of…
Read MoreIs the heavy use of the phrase “and it came to pass” a point against the Book of Mormon?
Question: I read the claim recently that all of the “And it came to pass” phrases in the Book of Mormon are a non-issue because the Greek rendering of that phrase appears with as much frequency in the original Biblical record, and the editors of the King James version chose to remove them. Is this…
Read MoreIs it wrong to look at nudes as art?
Question: There are people who chose to put their bodies on display as art. Is it wrong to appreciate the body in that way? It’s not porn. It doesn’t cause the body to lust. It’s just people standing around naked. Answer: When Adam and Eve sinned by eating of the tree of the knowledge of…
Read MoreRemember (Hamilton)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/Remember.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 12:1 I. At times I get teased about my memory. A. A researcher at Johns Hopkins noted the things people most often forget. 1. Names – 83% 2. Where something is – 60% 3. Telephone numbers – 57% 4. Words – 53% 5. What was said – 49% 6. Faces – 42% 7. Whether you’ve just…
Read MoreShould a Christian eat with a non-Christian who is having alcohol with his meal?
Question: First, I want to thank you for explaining in a previous response about why social drinking is sinful. Now, I have for you a short scenario that’s based on that fact. A Christian gets invited to go eat at a steakhouse by his non-Christian work buddy. While ordering his meal, this buddy decides to get an…
Read MoreThe Sabbath is mentioned more than the first day of the week, so isn’t that the day we should worship?
Question: I would like to say that you err on Sunday as God’s true Sabbath. The Sabbath is mentioned 60 times in the New Testament as to 7 to 8 times for the first day of the week, which none of the first day of the week is about worship. All 60 times on the…
Read MoreMy nine-year-old is lazy and nothing seems to work
Question: I am having issues with my nine-year-old son. He has such a bad and lazy attitude about school, school work, and homework (and most things he is told to do). He has the ability to do the work, but he seems to don’t care. He has been like this since kindergarten; so I know it’s…
Read MoreDoes this mean that if you have sex before you’re married it’s a sin?
Question: I accidentally discovered your site and found some interesting topics and I came across the topic of pregnancy. My question is is there a right time where you can conceive? Because my girlfriend and I have tried three or four times but she never got pregnant. We want to have a child. I’ve seen…
Read MoreHow do I reach out to my atheist roommate?
Question: Well, recently I have moved into college as a freshman. Now, the person I’m rooming with is a friend I’ve had through high school. He calls himself an atheist. Now, I’m not exactly sure if he is a true atheist or not. He doesn’t actively protest God and go over all these debates like,…
Read MoreWhat can I do? My wife and I are drifting apart
Question: It has been almost a year since I first wrote to you about my thoughts on divorcing my wife. We have one child together. A lot has happened since then! I moved out of my house for two reasons: 1) because I had already planned to and 2) because my wife took out an…
Read MoreWhy should we argue about not getting baptized? We should want to shout it out to the whole world that we’re in Christ!
Question: Hi! Several weeks ago, I was looking at the web site. I surfed it for several hours and eventually got into the topic of baptism. When I grew up, I was in a Christian home. My parents gave me the option of being baptized when I was 4 or 5 and then later when…
Read MoreIs it an obligation to fast and make sacrifices to God?
Question: Is it an obligation to fast and make sacrifices for God? Or is it just a holy week thing? If it is an obligation, how often are we supposed to do it? Answer: For fasting, see: Should Christians fast? The only sacrifice in the New Testament is the dedication of one’s life to God. “I…
Read MoreIs Enoch included in Hebrews 11:13 when it said all these died in faith?
Question: You said that Enoch did not die. What about Hebrews 11:13 where it says, “These all died in faith….”? Is not Enoch included in that verse? Answer: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers…
Read MoreWhere was God before He created the heavens and the earth?
Question: Where was God before He created the heavens and the earth? Answer: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:2). In this simple statement are many implications. Since it was “in the beginning,” it is implied that time did not exist before this. So thus, time was created at this…
Read MoreDo you have to join a church?
Question: I would like to know do you believe in having to join to be a member of the “Church of Christ”? Answer: This question only becomes difficult to answer in that I don’t know if you understand the way the New Testament uses the concept of “church.” “Church” is used in two senses. One…
Read MoreOnce you are saved, can you live a sin-free life?
Question: Do you believe that once you’re truly saved that you can live a “sin-free” life? Answer: John stated, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse…
Read MoreI’m thinking of divorcing my wife because she is bipolar and a gambler. What do you think?
Question: I have an unusual problem. The wife and I got married and divorced seven years later. We got married again after another four years. I want a divorce. Besides, not ever having sex with my wife since we got married the second time, my wife is bipolar. But, more than that, she is also…
Read MoreAids to Remembrance
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/AidsToRemembrance.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 11:23-25 I. A major objective in partaking of the Lord’s Supper is to remember Jesus’ death – I Corinthians 11:23-25 A. It is often our intent to keep his death in mind, but worldly distractions impose themselves in our minds at time. 1. We might worry about finances…
Read MoreDoes God respond to the prayers of the alien sinner?
Question: In my study of God’s Word, I’ve come to the conclusion that God does not respond to the prayers of an “alien sinner” when asking for God’s blessings on himself. However, what are your thoughts on whether God responds to an “alien sinners” prayers when praying for someone else? For example, praying for someone…
Read MoreI don’t make enough to give a tenth of my income and still pay my debts. What should I do?
Question: I have a question about giving. I know that we don’t tithe in the Lord’s church, but why are ministers still preaching that we have to give more than the Old Testament Israelites gave because we are under better circumstances? At the moment I can’t afford to give 10% of my earnings because I…
Read MoreHow can so many studious people end up teaching different doctrines?
Question: If you have the time and the resources, I think it would be profitable to your visitors if you’ll add a workbook on the Christian doctrine. I surely need one. One that discusses the Christian system. A bit of indoctrination as to what you believe to be the truth of God’s word starting from…
Read MoreI found out my 12-year-old son is looking at pornography. How do I handle it?
Question: My son is 12 and is at present in the eighth grade. I have got ample evidence that he is visiting some pornography sites secretly. His friends in the school told him about these dirty web sites and how to find them. How I should handle this issue? We are born again Christians. This…
Read MoreShould physical features be considered when dating or choosing a mate?
Question: First, thank you for this site and your willingness to answer some tough questions in a biblical manner. I don’t know how to ask this without seeming to be lustful, but I want to be honest. Is it wrong for a male to consider or even enjoy certain physical characteristics (i.e. large breasts) of…
Read MoreWhat is the best study Bible?
Question: What Bible is the best to study? Several publishers now teach that baptism is not required, such as the Life Application Bible, and several teach the 1000 year war. How can I know which publishing house and what Bible are the best for me? Answer: First, pick a Bible because you are interested in…
Read MoreHow do I decide who to vote for?
Question: My question has to do with voting. Since I am able to vote, are there any Bible verses for which I can turn to for deciding who to vote for? It is important for me to select the best candidate for running this country. Thanks! Answer: Christians ought to participate in their government. “Let…
Read MoreWe keep going over our boundaries. How do we prevent pre-marital sex in college?
Question: I am a university student. I have a problem regarding sex before marriage. I want to have a healthy relationship with God and also have God be happy with my healthy relationship with my girlfriend. We try not to have sex even though we have done it. We pray for forgiveness each the time…
Read MoreCan Christians choose not to pay an income tax?
Question: Recently, a man teaching a Bible class made the comment that “We as Christians can choose not to pay our income taxes with a clear conscience as it was an unconstitutional act when these taxes were brought into law” I disagree because my understanding is that Romans 13 and “rendering to Caesar what is due” teach that a…
Read MoreHow can you study for classes and study the Bible at the same time?
Question: I hope that you can give this question of mine an answer for my soul greatly needs it. I really need someone who I assume, “has been there”, to give me an advice in overcoming this obstacle in my life. I’m 20 years old and studying. Sir, I truly am interested in knowing the…
Read MoreI made a big mistake and had sex with my girlfriend. Can I be forgiven?
Question: For the past few days, I am disturbed, greatly worried, and upset about my ruthless mistake of having sex with my girlfriend. I’m a believer in Christ and my girlfriend is not. She continues to work in the same office and on the same team where I work. She is a very good and…
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